Dental crowns are used to restore teeth that have been cracked, severely damaged, or that have had to undergo a root canal procedure. Most permanent crowns are custom-made to match the shape of the original tooth so that your overall bite is not altered. Dental crowns require the original tooth to be reshaped to make room for the crown itself.

Initial Preparation of the Tooth

Having a crown placed usually involves two visits to the dental office. In the first visit, the dentist takes a mold of your teeth so that the outer surface of the crown will match the contours of your original tooth. Then the tooth is prepared to make room for the crown.

Preparing a tooth to receive a crown involves removing a significant portion of the tooth. You will be placed under anesthesia while the dentist uses special instruments to shape the tooth into a peg shape that will fit inside the final crown. After the tooth is prepared, another mold is taken. The two molds will be used together to create a custom-made crown with an exact fit.

Final Placement of the Crown

The dentist will place a temporary crown on your prepared tooth while the final crown is being produced in a dental lab. On your second visit to the dentist, he will affix the final crown with permanent adhesive so that the crown will be securely fixed in your mouth.

Though many people wish to avoid crowns, a dental crown can be the best way to save a severely damaged tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted. If you need a dental crown in Fort Worth, please contact our office for more information.